How to Build a Leprechaun Trap

At some point or another, you will probably want to trap a leprechaun. I promise you, curiosity will get the best of you and you’re going to need these instructions in order to build a Leprechaun Trap to catch one of these elusive little creatures. OR your child’s school teacher will send home a paper for a family team building event requiring you to send a leprechaun trap to school. Either way….these instructions will save the day.

What you will need:

1 sheet of green poster board

1 sheet of black construction paper

1 sheet of yellow construction paper

1 sheet of scrapbook paper

2 red pipe cleaners

2 orange pipe cleaners

2 yellow pipe cleaners

2 green pipe cleaners

2 purple pipe cleaners

a pile of white pom poms or cotton balls in assorted sizes

1 foam shamrock (or green foam sheet cut into shamrock shape

1 small flower pot, painted black

1 pack of Rolos candy, individually wrapped

1 small ladder….can be constructed from paper straws

1 hot glue gun

Cut the poster board in half and roll one half into a cylinder. Glue the edge to adhere. Cut one inch slits all the way around the bottom of the cylinder, approximately 1 inch apart, and fold them inward. Cut a large circle out of the remaining poster board to form the brim of the hat. Be sure the brim provides a large border, approximately 2 inches around the base of the cylinder. Glue the bottom of the cylinder to the brim and then attach the hat to the scrapbook paper (or cardboard base) with glue.

Cut 2-two inch wide strips from the construction paper and glue around the bottom of the hat to form a band. Cut a 3 inch square from the yellow construction paper and cut a smaller square inside of that. Glue the square to the band on the front of the hat to form a buckle.

Cut another circle out of the remaining poster approximately the same size as the top of the hat….leave a little border so you have something to keep it from falling into the hat. Cut a 3 inch circle in the bottom third of the top of the hat and glue the circle to the top of the cylinder.

 

 

Line the pipe cleaners together and glue in several places to keep their shape. Bend both ends inward and glue to the top of the hat. Glue the pom poms or cotton balls around the base of the rainbow to form clouds.

Add the Rolos to the bait bucket (the black flowerpot) and glue the bucket just in front of the rainbow. (I bought a roll of Rolos….buy a bag or you will be wrapping each individually in the foil they once shared.)

Add glue to the top of the shamrock, only….and place over the hole to form a flap…or trap door.

Glue the ladder to the front and base of the hat. Decorate with any signage you’d like.

Remember, leprechaun’s like shiny things, candy and gold so be as creative as you want!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!